Cycle control means for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A time delay is provided between the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the next sewing cycle to provide a sufficient delay between sewing cycles that the operator can reposition the article being sewn. The time delay may be adjusted to suit the skill of the operator and a machine-operated switch automatically energizes a time delay relay upon the completion of a sewing cycle.

United States Patent Hedgins [54] CYCLE CONTROL MEANS FOR SEWINGMAQHINES [72] Inventor: Howard A. l-lodgins, Newark, Del.

[73] Assignee: Enterprise Machine and Development Corp., New CastleCounty, Del.

[22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,704

[52] US. Cl. ..ll2/67, l12/2l9A [51] ..D05b 69/20 [58] FieldofSearch..ll2/67,2l9 R,2l9A,2l9 B,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,928,362 3/1960 Benink etal..1l2/67 [451 May 30, 1972 3,008,43711/1961 Herr .Q ..ll2/252 3,482,53712/1969 Morin ..ll2/67X Primary Examiner-H. Hampton HunterAtt0rneyParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson 57 ABSTRACT A time delayis provided between the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning of thenext sewing cycle to provide a sufficient delay between sewing cyclesthat the operator can reposition the article being sewn. The time delaymay be adjusted to suit the skill of the operator and a machine-operatedswitch automatically energizes a time delay relay upon the completion ofa sewing cycle. 1

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 53 AWE, SUPPLY D w 45 50 5\ 24 3\ 35 22 2|46% DELAY Q o 32 527 INVENTOR:

@{ HOWARD A. Hoosms O 'F 2 W ATTORNEYS CYCLE CONTROL MEANS FOR SEWINGMACHINES This invention relates generally to cycle control means forsewing machines and more particularly to means for providing apredetermined delay between the end of one sewing cycle and thebeginning of the next sewing cycle.

Industrial sewing machines of the type adapted to sew buttons,buttonholes, and the like are provided with means to automatically stopthe sewing operation upon the completion of a sewing cycle. Normally,the sewing cycle is started by the operator depressing a foot treadlewhich is mechanically connected to the actuator lever of the machine.The force required to depress the foot treadle and actuate the sewingcycle is on the order of 17 to 25 pounds and the repetitive manipulationof the foot treadle introduces a high fatigue factor. Also, the timedelay between the end of one sewing cycle and beginning of the nextsewing cycle is determined entirely by the machine operator.

In order to reduce operator fatigue, electric solenoids and the likehave been connected to the actuator lever to apply the force necessaryto start the sewing cycle and cam operated delay devices have been usedto continuously and repetitively initiate successive sewing cycles witha predetermined delay between the end of one sewing cycle and thebeginning of the next sewing cycle. However, these known devices requirefrequent repair and require accurate adjustment of parts to vary theamount of delay between sewing cycles. In order to provide the correctdelay, in accordance with the differences in skills of differentoperators, ranging from a beginner to the most highly skilled operator,it is desirable to be able to quickly and easily vary the delay betweensewing cycles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide cycle control meansfor sewing machines which reduces operator fatigue by supplying theforce necessary to start each sewing cycle and which provides means forquickly and easily varying the time delay between the end of one sewingcycle and the beginning of the next succeeding sewing cycle so that theproper work pace may be set for operators of varying skills.

In accordance with the present invention, the force necessary toinitiate a sewing machine cycle is supplied by a pneumatic cylinderwhich provides trouble free operation over a long time period. A timedelay relay is provided to selectively vary the length of time delaybetween the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the next cycle.Machine operated switch means is operated by a suitable part of thesewing machine which moves to a predetermined position upon thecompletion of a sewing cycle. Operator controlled switch means isprovided in series with the machine operated switch means so that thetime delay relay is energized to provide the desired delay beforeoperation of the pneumatic cylinder to initate the next sewing cycle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thedescription hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 isa side elevation of a conventional type of sewing machine supported on awork table and illustrating the present cycle control means associatedtherewith; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manner in which thevarious parts of the cycle control means are as sociated with each otherand with the sewing machine.

The sewing machine, indicated broadly at S and illustrated in FIG. 1, isof the type particularly adapted for sewing buttons, and is supported ona work table T. However, it is to be understood that the cycle controlmeans of the present invention may also be used with other types ofsewing machines, such as buttonhole sewing machines and the like.Buttons are automatically fed by a suitable feeder, such as a vibratorybowl type feeder l0, and successively pass through a conveyor chute 11to a point adjacent the needle N of the machine. The buttons arepreferably transferred into button positioning and clamping jaws 12 bymeans of a button transfer device, not shown, which may be of anysuitable construction. The sewing machine illustrated is of the typedisclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,609,773 and includes the usual clutch anddrive mechanism which is initiated upon downward movement of an actuatorlever 13. The drive mechanism is provided with a clutch to stop thesewing machine upon completion of each sewing cycle with the buttonclamp jaws 12 and the needle N in the raised position shown in FIG. 2.The clamp jaws 12 are supported on a clamp jaw lever 14 which is pivotedat its inner end as at 15.

This type of sewing machine is usually actuated by a foot treadle, notshown, which is mechanically connected to the actuator lever 13 andrequires about 17 to 25 pounds of force to start the sewing cycle. Inthe usual sewing cycle the button is positioned in the clamp jaws 12while the clamp jaws l2 and the lever 14 are in a raised position. Theclamp jaw lever 14 and the clamp jaws 12 are then lowered to hold thebutton in position on the fabric where it is to be attached thereon. Theneedle N then goes through its sewing cycle to attach the button to thefabric and the jaws 12 and lever 14 are raised as the machineautomatically stops, in position to start the next sewing cycle. Inaccordance with the normal procedure, the operator then repositions thefabric where another button is to be attached and then depresses thefoot treadle to start the next sewing cycle.

In accordance with the present invention, the actuator lever 13 of thesewing machine S is moved to start the sewing cycle by means of suitableactuator means, such as a pneumatic cylinder, indicated at 20. Thecylinder 20 is suitably supported at its upper end beneath the worktable T and includes a piston rod 21 which is suitably connected to oneend of a lever 22. The lever 22 is pivotally supported intermediate itsends on a support arm 23 and its outer free end is connected to thelower end of a chain 24. The upper end of the chain 24 is connected tothe lower end of a link 25 which is in turn connected at its upper endto the actuator lever 13.

An inlet air line is connected between the cylinder 20 and a solenoidoperated air valve 31. An air supply line 32 is connected to one side ofthe valve 31 and its other end is connected to a suitable air supply,indicated at 33. Machine operated switch means, illustrated as anormally open micro switch 35, is suitably supported on the frame of thesewing machine 5 and is adapted to be engaged and closed by a part ofthe sewing machine when the sewing machine comes to the end of itssewing cycle. In the present instance, the micro switch 35 is closed bythe clamp jaw lever 14 as it is raised at the end of the sewing cycle.

Operator actuated switch means, such as a normally open foot switch 40,is provided in an easily accessible location for the operator. A timedelay relay 45 is supported on the work table T and is positioned foreasy access and adjustment by the operator. The time delay relay is ofany suitable type and is preferably of the semi solid state typemanufactured by Y. L. Products Company, Inc. of Yeadon, Pennsylvania,and sold under their Model No. P- A lC2. The time delay relay isprovided with an adjustment knob 46 which may be manually rotated tovary the effective time delay between the time the relay is energizedand the time it actuates the mechanism to which it is connected.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the machine operated switch 35is connected to the time delay relay 45 by wires 50, 51. The air valve31 is connected to the time delay relay 45 by suitable wires 52, 53. Thefoot switch 40 is interposed in a main supply wire 54 and another mainsupply wire 55 is connected to the time delay relay 45. The main supplywires 54, 55 are suitably connected to any suitable source of electricalenergy, not shown.

OPERATION Assuming that the sewing machine S is performing a sewingcycle, with the clamp jaws 12 in the lowered position shown in FIG. I,the clamp jaw lever 14 is also lowered so that the machine operatedswitch 35 is open and the time delay relay is not energized even thoughthe foot switch 40 is held closed by the operator. Upon completion ofthe sewing cycle, the clamp jaw lever 14 will be raised to close themachine operated switch 35, as indicated in FIG. 2. The time delay relay45 will then be energized and, after the time delay set by theadjustment knob 46, the air valve 31 will be opened to permit air underpressure to enter the cylinder and raise the piston rod 21, therebypulling down on the actuator lever 13 of the sewing machine S so thatthe next sewing cycle will be started.

During the time delay between the end of one sewing cycle and thebeginning of the next sewing cycle, the operator will have sufficienttime to move the fabric into position where the next button is to besewn. The clamping jaws 12 will then move down and hold the button inposition as the sewing cycle is completed. As long as the operatormaintains the foot switch 40 in a closed position, successive sewingcycles will be continuously repeated with the selected amount of timedelay occurring between the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning ofthe next succeeding sewing cycle. If it is desired to stop thisrepetitive cycle or operation, the operator may open the foot switch 40during any sewing cycle and the machine will automatically stop upon thecompletion of that cycle. If desired, the foot switch 40 may operate aholding relay, not shown, so that the foot switch 40 will remain closedeven though it is depressed and immediately released. Then, when thefoot switch 40 is again depressed, the circuit to the time delay relaywill be broken.

The cycle control means of this invention is trouble free and is of verysimple construction. The cycle control means may be easily attached toexisting sewing machines and the length of the time delay between sewingoperations may be easily adjusted by simply rotating the adjustment knob46 to the proper setting to provide the desired time delay. Thus, thetime delay is easily varied to suit the difference in skills betweendifferent workers and in accordance with the type of sewing operationbeing carried on.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

I claim:

1. Cycle control means for a sewing machine having an actuator levershiftable to an operative position for initiating a stitching cycle, amember movable to a predetermined position upon completion of astitching cycle, and means to stop operation of said sewing machine uponcompletion of a stitching cycle, said cycle control means beingselectively operable to continuously repeat successive sewing cycles,and comprising operator controlled switch means for starting andstopping said cycle control means, actuator means operable to move saidactuator lever to said operative position, machine operated switch meansoperable by said sewing machine member upon completion of a sewingcycle, and a time delay relay interposed between said machine operatedswitch means and said actuator means for providing a predetermined delaybetween the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the nextsuccessive sewing cycle as long as said operator controlled switch meansis maintained in the starting position.

2. Cycle control means according to claim 1 wherein said actuator meanscomprises a pneumatic cylinder operatively connected to said actuatorlever of said sewing machine.

3. Cycle control means according to claim 1 wherein said sewing machineis adapted to sew buttons to fabric and said member comprises buttonclamp jaws movable to a raised position upon completion of a sewingcycle, and wherein said machine operated switch means is closed inresponse to movement of said clamp jaws to said raised position.

4. Cycle control means according to claim I wherein said time delayrelay includes adjustment means for varying the length of time delaybetween the completion of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the nextsuccessive sewing cycle.

1. Cycle control means for a sewing machine having an actuator levershiftable to an operative position for initiating a stitching cycle, amember movable to a predetermined position upon completion of astitching cycle, and means to stop operation of said sewing machine uponcompletion of a stitching cycle, said cycle control means beingselectively operable to continuously repeat successive sewing cycles,and comprising operator controlled switch Means for starting andstopping said cycle control means, actuator means operable to move saidactuator lever to said operative position, machine operated switch meansoperable by said sewing machine member upon completion of a sewingcycle, and a time delay relay interposed between said machine operatedswitch means and said actuator means for providing a predetermined delaybetween the end of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the nextsuccessive sewing cycle as long as said operator controlled switch meansis maintained in the starting position.
 2. Cycle control means accordingto claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a pneumatic cylinderoperatively connected to said actuator lever of said sewing machine. 3.Cycle control means according to claim 1 wherein said sewing machine isadapted to sew buttons to fabric and said member comprises button clampjaws movable to a raised position upon completion of a sewing cycle, andwherein said machine operated switch means is closed in response tomovement of said clamp jaws to said raised position.
 4. Cycle controlmeans according to claim 1 wherein said time delay relay includesadjustment means for varying the length of time delay between thecompletion of one sewing cycle and the beginning of the next successivesewing cycle.